Typewriter-carriage-operating mechanism



J. H. PILLINGS.

TYPEWRITER CARRIAGE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, 1919.

1,360,789. I Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. H. PILLINGS.

TYPEWRITER CARRIAGE OPERATING MECHANISM.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, I919.

1,360,789. Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- sr res rarest QFFICEQ JOHN H. PILLINGS, 0F HAMILTON, OHIQ, ASSIGNGR T0 HOOVEN WRITER, CORPORATION, OF HA'MILTON, 91-110, A CORPUEATION RIAG-E-UPERATIN'G IEEGHANISM.

Application filed July 14, 1919. Serial No. 310,692.

T 0 alien/10m it may concern Be it known that T, JonN'H. lPILLIN s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamilton, in the county of Butler and State of @hio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Typewriter-CarriageQperatin Mechanism, of which the following is a nil, clear, and exact description.

This invention is intended for use in and as a part ofmechanism for automatically actuating the various parts of a typewriter in such sequence as is determined by the perforations in a perforated controller strip, to the end that the typewriter may print form letters. The purpose of the mechanism in which the present invention is embodied is to automatically return the typewriter carriage to the starting position and to operate A the line spacing mechanism, in order that a new line may be printed in proper position upon the paper.

Mechanisms for automatically operating typewriters are, as may be supposed, constructed for use in connection with some commercial typewriters. The invention which forms the subject matter of this application is associated with an Underwood typewriter; but there is no reason why it might not be adapted for use with any other form of typewriter. The typewriter frame is secured upon the frame which supports the mechanism for automatically operating the various parts of the typewriter.

The present invention involves the addition of a few simple parts to the typewriter, and the slight modification of certain other parts, as will appear; but neither these additions nor changes nor the connection of the typewriter with the automatic operating mechanism interferes with the ordinary operation of the typewriter whenever is desired;

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the present invention attached to a typewriter; Fig. 2 is a front elevation broken away, and Fig. 8 is a detail.

The particular typewriter operating mechanism en iloyed must he or" such general character its various parts can he selectively operated in accordance with the perforations of a controller strip; but there are various mechanisms of this character which are capable of use in connection with the present invention. The drawing shows for Specification of Letters Eatent.

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Patented Nova 3d, ilrb tt,

this purpose mechanism of this sort which is shown and described in my co-pendinoplication, Serial No. 310,693, filed an; 14, 1919; but 1t would not be at all difficult to employ for this purpose substantially the same mechanism which forms the subject matter of my prior Patent No. l,l? l,O90i or any other suitaole mechanism for niat ter. The specific automatic mechanism show; involves the use of a rotating cylind carrying spurs 11 for engagement with the perforated controller strip S which runs over said cylinder. Tn the surface of this cylinder are numerous pockets l2 which will be covered by the unperforated part the controller strip; and suitable mechanism will be required for slowly rotating the c; inder. Behind the cylinder are a pluralitv of vertically movable hangers l3 anc ciated mechanisms. Each hanger has a pawl is pivoted to it, which pawl extends ton ward; and its point normally rests upon the surface of the perforated controller strip. Wilson a perforation comes beneath one of 3C: these pawls, the pawl drops through perforation and engages in a pocket in the cylinder; wherefore, as the cylinder continues to rotate, the pawls will be displaced endwise in a rearward direction. This will cause a corresponding displacement of the associated hanger. The hanger carries on its rear side a shoulder 19 which, when the hanger is displaced rearwardly is carried beneath a vertically reciprocating depressor bar 16 which is associated with cert l: nieclr anism which ireeps it constantly moving up and down. This depressor bar will in its downward movement strilre the shoulder 19 on the rearwardly displaced hanger, and. will move that hanger down. Two of these hangers 13., 13 are utilised in the "c invention, one for causing the ooera pn of the mechanism which returns 2". -age to its starting point; and for 1r sting the line spacing mechanism. I

before stated, however, it will be understood that any two movable parts which will he moved .tically theproper mi ht he util'sed for operating present t nie invention.

The carrir nisrn; and 7! as snow,

which is also pivoted to the typewriter carriage. That lever is shown in the drawing, but no attempt has been made to indicate the line spacing mechanism which it operates, because that is' a part of the typewriter to which the present invention is applied. There is, however, added to the typewriter in front of the carriage a transverse rock shaft 26. At its ends two arms 27 are fixed to this rock -shaft; and the ends of these arms are connected by a bar 28 so as to make a rocking frame out of this rectangular structure. A bracket 22 is fixed to the frame of the typewriter carriage, and it. carries a sheave 23 which is rotatably mounted.

cord 24 isconnected at one end with the lever 21 for operating it. This cord runs over this sheave 23, and has a ring 29 fixed to its end, which ring embraces loosely the top rod 28 of the rocking frame referred to. 'iherefore, when the upper member of this rocking frame is rocked forward the cord will be pulled. and the line spacing lever 21. will be operated. This action will take place regardless of the position of the typewriter carriage with respect to the typewriter I frame, because the ring 29 slides freely on the bar 28 as the typewriter carriage is moved back and forth. To the rock sha ft 26 which forms a part of this rocking frame an operatlng arm 30 is secured; and this arm '13 connected by a link .31 with one of the hangers 13, so that, as said hanger is automatlcally moved downward by the mechanism to which brief reference has been made, or by any suitable mechanism, this frame will be rocked and the'line spacing mechanism operated.

As a part of the typewriter operating mechanism, there is a shaft 35 which is located at the left side of said mechanism and therefore extends from front to back, and is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings. Ex tending from side to side,'that is, lying at right angles to this shaft 35, is another shaft 40, which is also suitably supported in bearings; and at the right end of this shaft a pinion 41 1s fixed. This pinion is for engagement with a vertically sliding rack bar 42, which rac bar is connected by a cord or strap 43 ith the typewriter carriage; said cord or strap passing over a uide sheave 44 mounted in abracket 45 which is fixed to the typewriter frame. Evidently, therefore, the downward movement of this rack bar will move the carriage to the right until .it arrives at the starting position. There are two freely rotatable rooved wheels 46 mounted on the frame of t e typewriter operating mechanism, and they engage the rear plain edge of the rack bar and hold it in engagement with the pinion.

qIn order to rotate this pinion carrying shaft 40 this shaft'has fixed to one end a bevel friction wheel 47. A reciprocally bev- 64, and between this collar and the beveled wheel thereon is a spring. By'moving the collar rearward the spring is compressed and it thrusts the bevel wheel rearward and into frictional engagement with the bevel wheel, and thereby the shaft is turned and the rack drawn down. -To effect this clutching action automatically, and to hold the two shafts clutched together for the proper period of time, a three-arm rocker-50 is provided. One arm 51 is in the form of a fork which embraces the collar and is pivoted to the sides of the frame. The other arm 52 extends .in a substantially horizontal direction beneath one of the hangers. The third arm extends in a substantially vertical direction, and serves as a latching arm 53. When a perforation in,the controller strip comes to the functioning position it will cause through the mechanism which has been referred to the downward movement of this hanger. This will engage the arm of the rocker and rock the rocker with the result of clutching the two shafts together as stated. This movement of the rocker will likewise swing the latch arm 53 forward, and will carry a latch lug w ich is fixed to the arm in front of the end of a latch lever 54. This latch lever is pivoted to the typewriter frame. Its lower end normally engages the flat left face of said latch lug. When, as stated, the latch lug is moved forward it will pass out of engagement with the lever, whereupon the lever under the influence of a spring will move back of this latch lug and prevent the return movement of the rocker. Therefore, whenever, through theoperation of the mechanism described, the clutch con nects, the two shafts, that connection willbe maintained until by the operation of the mechanism now to be described the two shafts become unclutched. ,VVhile they are clutched together, the carriage will be moved to the right back to its starting position.

In the typewriter there is a transversely extended rod 65 to which the carriage return stop is'fixed. Normally this red has no endwise movement. In the present construction, however, it is allowed a certain endwise movement. Its left end projects through the supporting frame member, and it has an enlarged head 66 which lies outside of, that is to the left of the upper end of this latch lever. \Vhen the carriage has, by the described mechanism, been returned latch lug to its starting position, it will. strike a strip fastened to this rod, and will move the rod endwise 'slightly. in this endwise movement, however, the head thereon will engage the latch lever and rock it so that its lower end is released from engagement with the on the 'rocker. Thereupon the spring will push the beveled clutch collar forward, and it, acting through the spring, will push the sliding collar forward and thereby the rocker will be rocked to its nor-- mal position. The two shafts are now imclutched. When the latch lever has moved to the position stated the lower end of the trip lever will move into contact with the left face of the lug. The parts are now restored to their normal position and everything is in readiness to begin printing of a new line. As soon as the carriage makes its first movement to the right the pressure on the rod will be released and the spring associated therewith will move it to the left, and therefore restore it to the normal position shown in the drawing, in which it is ready to again act in the manner stated.

arious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention shown engaging movement of said clutch mecha-- iiism, an automatic latch for holding the clutch means operated by the typewriter carriage for withdrawing said latch, and means to automatically move the clutch mechanism in the clutch releasing direction when the latch is withdrawn.

2. In t )ewriter o )eratin mechanism. the

combination with the typewriter carriage, mechanism for returning said carriage to its starting point, clutch controlled mechanism for actuating said carriage return mechanism, andspring-actuated'transversely movable sliding bar having a projection which lies in the path of a part of the typewriter carriage assaid carriage moves toward its starting position, a head on one projecting end of said-bar, clutch operating mechanism,

a latch lever which at its lower end may engage said clutch operating mechanism to hold the clutch in the clutching'position, the upper end of said lever being projected into a position to be engaged by the head on the sliding bar whereby the lever will be moved siiding carriage on its return in the clutch engaging position,

in the latch releasing direction when the movement moves said sliding bar.

3. In typewriter operating mechanism, in combination with the rotatable shaft, means actuated by said shaft for returning the typewriter carriage to its starting position, a beveled friction disk fixed to said shaft, a drivin shaft, a friction disk slidably mounted upon having a tongue and groove connection with the driving shaft and adapted to engage the friction disk on the first mentioned shaft, a rocker having an arm. adapted to "move the sliding friction disk along its shaft and into engagement with the first mentioned friction disk, said rocker having a second arm, means controlled by a perforated controller strip arm to rock the rocker, a latch for preventing the return movement of said rocker after it has been so moved, and mechanism operated by the typewriter carriage as it returns to its starting position for releasing said latch.

4. In typewriter operating mechanism, in combination with the typewriter carriage, a rotatable shaft, means actuated by said shaft for returning the typewriter'carriage to its starting position, a beveled friction disk fixed to said shaft, a driving shaft, a

friction disk slidably mounted upon and having a ton no and groove connection with the driving 5 aft and adapted to'engage the friction disk on the first mentioned shaft, a rocker having an arm adapted to move the sliding friction disk along its shaft and into engagement with the first mentioned friction disk, said rocker having a second arm, means controlled by a perforated controller strip for engaging said arm to rock the rocker, a latch for preventing the return movement of said rocker after it has been so moved, and mechanism operated by the typewriter carriage as it returns to its starting position for releasing said latch, and

a spring for moving said sliding disk out of contact with the other friction disk.

5. In typewriter operating mechanism, the combination with the typewriter carriage, a rotatable shaft, means actuated. thereby for returning the carriage to its starting position, a bevel friction disk fixed to said shaft, a drivingshaft. a bevel fric- 1 tion disk having a tongue andgroove sliding connection with the driving shaft,asl id- 'ing clutch sleeve upon said shaft, a spring interposed between said clutch sleeve and a sliding friction disk, mechanism for automatically moving said clutch sleeve along the shaft so as to compress said spring and thereby force the associated friction disk into operative contact with the first mentioned friction disk.

t. in typewriter operating mechanism,

law a e, ty ewriter carriage, a a

for engaging said operated by the the combination with the typewriter carriage, a rotatable shaft, means actuated thereby for returning the carriage to its starting position, a bevel friction disk fixed to said shaft, a'driving shaft, a bevel friction disk having a ton e and groove sliding connection with t e driving shaft, a sliding clutch sleeve upon said shaft, a" spring interposed between said clutch sleeve, and said bevel friction disk, mechanism for automatically moving said clutch sleeve along the shaft so as to compress said spring and thereby force the associated friction disk into operative contact with the first mentioned friction disk, anautomatic latch for holding said sliding sleeve in the spring compressing position, and mechanism typewriter carriage on its return movement for releasing said latch.

7. In typewriter operating mechanism,

the combination with the typewriter car-' riage, a rotatable shaft, means actuated thereby for returning the. carriage to its startingposition, a bevel friction disk fixed to said shaft, a driving shaft, a bevel friction disk having a tongue and groove sliding connection with: the driving shaft, a

co la r fixed to said shaft, a spring embracing the shaft and compressed between it and said friction disk, a sliding clutch sleeve upon said shaft, a spring interposed between said clutch sleeve, and said bevel friction disk, mechanism for automatically moving said clutch sleeve along the shaft so as to compress said spring and thereby force the associated friction disk into operative contact withthe first mentioned friction disk.

8. In typewriter operating mechanism, the combination of 'the line spacer lever of the typewriter carriage, a guide sheave fixed to the typewriter carriage, a rocking frame having a transversely extended bar at its movable end, a ring loosely embracing said bar, a cord connecting said ring with said line spacer lever, and mechanism for selectively rocking said rocking frame.

9. In typewriter operating mechanism, the combination of the line spacer lever of the typewriter carriage, a guide sheave fixed to the typewriter carriage, a rocking frame having a transversely extended bar at its movable end, a ring loosely embracing said bar, a cord connecting said ring with said line spacer lever, an operating arm fixed to said frame, a vertically movable hanger connected with said arm, and means controlled by a perforated controller strip for automatically moving said hanger downward.

, In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JOHN H. PILLINGS. 

